Import Alert: Revised Conditions for Allowing Hunter Harvested Wild Game Bird Carcasses from 

Canada into the United States

Issued: August 15, 2023 

Effective: August 3, 2023

On August 3, 2023, USDA APHIS issued a stakeholder alert implementing restrictions on hunterharvested wild bird meat and carcasses from all of Canada, regardless of province, due to the risk of 

transmitting highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI). HPAI is an extremely infectious poultry disease 

spreading throughout North America, primarily by wild birds. APHIS regulations implement strict import 

controls to prevent HPAI introductions resulting from people transporting contaminated wildlife meat, 

carcasses, and trophies into the United States.   

APHIS has been working with stakeholders, hunter and waterfowl organizations, and other Federal 

agencies to provide appropriate requirements for importing hunter-harvested wild bird meat and 

carcasses that address the HPAI transmission risk to our domestic poultry. After receiving proposals 

from stakeholders and hunting organizations, APHIS has revised the conditions and will allow the skin 

to remain intact for the import of hunter-harvested wild bird meat and carcasses as outlined below.   

Unprocessed hunter-harvested wild game bird carcasses, originating from or transiting Canada, must 

meet following conditions: 

• Viscera, head, neck, feet, and one wing have been removed; skin can remain on the 

carcass  

• Feathers have been removed, with the exception of one wing – as required by U.S. Fish and 

Wildlife Service (FWS) for species identification https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title50/chapter-I/subchapter-B/part-20?toc=1; and  

• Carcasses must be thoroughly cleansed in fresh, clean, potable water prior to packaging and 

must not have visible evidence of contamination with dirt, blood, other tissues, or feces; 

and  

• Carcasses must be imported in sealed leak-proof plastic packaging that must be thoroughly 

cleaned on the outside with soap and water prior to storage; and    

• Packaged carcasses must be stored in a leak proof cooler or container during transport and 

import; and  

• Carcasses must be chilled or frozen during transport and import  

APHIS further recommends that boots and any equipment used to process the carcasses should be clean 

and visibly free from dirt, blood, tissue, and feces. 

Hunter-harvested wild game bird trophies entering the United States from Canada must be either: fully 

taxidermy finished, accompanied by a Veterinary Services import permit, or consigned directly to a 

USDA Approved Establishment. Hunters may find an Approved Establishment by visiting the Veterinary 

Services Process Streamlining search page and searching for a taxidermist with the “HPAI” product code 

in their home State. 

Cooked or cured meat and meat products (for example, sausage, jerky, etc.) will not be allowed import 

as said products cannot meet the FWS requirement to identify the species of wild bird. For FWS 

requirements for the hunter harvested wild game birds from Canada, please contact them at 
For any questions regarding permitting and the import of animal products and by-products, please 

contact Animal Product Imports at 301-851-3300 or send an e-mail to APIE@usda.gov

Resources for hunters: 

https://www.aphis.usda.gov/animal_health/downloads/animal_diseases/ai/faqs.pdf

https://www.aphis.usda.gov/publications/animal_health/fsc_hpai_hunters.pdf